Civic Action Project

Civic Action Project (CAP) is a project-based learning model for civics and government courses. It offers a practicum for high school students in effective and engaged citizenship and uses blended learning to engage students in civic activities both in and out of the traditional U.S. government classroom. By using web-based technology and civics-based instruction and activities, students exercise important 21st century skills in digital literacy, critical thinking, collaboration, self-direction, and learning to be an engaged and effective citizen in a democracy. CAP provides numerous opportunities for teachers to integrate Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (CCSS ELA).

Students also see how the content of a government course can apply to the real world. By taking civic actions, they practice what real citizens do when they go about trying solve a real policy-related problem. CAP fulfills best-practices in service-learning with an emphasis on public policy.

The Teacher’s Role. The CAP teacher coaches and guides students through the civic action process as they select a problem or issue, research it, determine and take civic actions, and report and document the experience. The teacher motivates, challenges, critiques, and assesses student progress. Through a blended learning approach, teachers can let students take the reins of their civic learning, guiding them along the way.

The Student’s Role. CAP allows students to create projects on issues they care about, for their school or community. They see the connection of their civic actions to public policy and can share ideas for civics projects with each other and other CAP students nationwide. The CAP student is accountable for completing the civic action process, just as with a science project or term paper. The CAP Planner, a set of documents that guide students through the process, provides teachers with assessment information as well as a way to manage multiple student projects. While the teacher introduces and monitors the CAP, it is important that students take the lead in completing their civic actions.

Civic Actions. CAP challenges students to work on an actual problem, issue, or policy by taking civic actions. Civic actions build upon classroom civics lessons, discussion of controversial issues, service-learning, and other proven practices of effective civic education. These actions can be many and varied, including:

getting informed about a public issue or problem

thinking critically about the issue or problem

discovering how government is involved with the problem

learning how government makes decisions

developing a position

engaging in civic dialogue

building constituencies

working together toward a common goal

doing civic writing

making presentations

advocating for and defending positions

meeting with officials

making decisions

CAP Lessons. The CAP curriculum consists of lessons and civics activities connected to the civic action process. Lessons 1–5 are key to helping students identify an issue, problem, or policy and to begin taking civic actions. Lessons 6–14 provide specific examples of ways citizens impact public policy and help students develop civic skills such as persuasion, presenting to audiences, and deeper policy analysis. Through the readings and interactive classroom activities contained in the lessons, students learn how government content applies to policymaking at the local level, how policy is made and can be influenced, and strategies for effective citizenship.